Temple prepares for Shabbat, Purim

Congregation B'nai Emet will host the following special programs at the synagogue at 4645 Industrial St., Ste. 2C, Simi Valley.

For more information, call (805) 581-3723 or visit www. .congregationbnaiemet.org.

•The congregation will participate in "Shabbat Across America" at 7 p.m. Fri., March 7. Synagogues across the nation will invite practicing and nonpracticing Jews to join together for a traditional Shabbat service and festive meal.

Paskow, Cantor Michael Russ and the fourth grade religious school students will lead the service. A potluck dairy dinner and Israeli dancing will follow the service. Membership is not required to participate.

•The Purim celebration will be at 7 p.m. Fri., March 21. Paskow and Russ will lead this special program of prayers and song. The fifth- and sixth-grade students will pantomime the Bible story of Esther as the story is read. Congregants will be able to follow along with a megillah.

The festivities will include a costume contest and serving hamentaschen, the traditional Purim cookie.

To continue the Purim celebration, the congregation will sponsor a carnival on Sun., March 30 from noon to 3 p.m. at 3050 Kadota St., Simi Valley.